By: Audrey Raymonda John
Justice Adrian Fisher, presiding at High Court No. 1, Siaka Stevens Street, Freetown, has sentenced Isata Bangura, a businesswoman, to five years’ imprisonment at the Female Correctional Facility in Freetown for unlawful possession of drugs.
Isata Bangura was standing trial on two counts of Unlawful Possession of Drugs, contrary to Section 8(a) of the National Drugs Control Act 2008 (Act No. 10 of 2008).
According to the prosecution, on July 27, 2024, the accused was found in possession of: 50.0 grams of kush without lawful authority (Count One), and
40.8 grams of kush without lawful authority (Count Two).
When the charges were read and explained to her, she pleaded guilty to both counts.
Justice Fisher, while delivering his ruling, summarized the facts presented by the prosecution: The convict was found in possession of 98 grams of kush, in addition to some cannabis sativa and NLe 6,000 in cash.
In her statement to the police, Isata admitted that the drugs were found on her premises but claimed they belonged to her boyfriend, Unisa Conteh, who had left them there.
She stated that she was a victim of the 2017 Regent mudslide and that her medical condition has worsened over time.
Defence Counsel Mr. D. Koroma requested that the court direct the Medical Superintendent of the Correctional Services to examine the convict. He argued that:
Isata suffers from serious medical conditions, including chronic abdominal pain, which may worsen in long-term incarceration. She had not yet been medically examined by the Correctional Services since being taken into custody. He cited Section 14 of the National Drugs Control Act, which allows leniency for first-time offenders if it serves the interest of justice and does not go against public interest.
Justice Fisher expressed concern that the convict had not been medically examined since her admission into custody and issued the following orders:
The medical officer must examine the convict and submit a report within seven days. The convict must be taken to a government hospital for proper examination without delay. The female medical officer of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services must appear before the court on Friday, July 4, 2025, and present both medical reports.
During her final plea, Isata begged the court for mercy, stating that she is a single mother and seriously ill. When questioned by the judge if she knew people were dying every day due to kush, she replied, “I am not aware”
She also claimed she does not use kush and reiterated that her boyfriend had left the drugs in her room without her knowledge of his illegal dealings.
Despite the plea, Justice Fisher sentenced Isata Bangura to five years’ imprisonment, citing the gravity of the offense and the harm kush is inflicting on Sierra Leonean society.
“This court must send a clear message that the trafficking and possession of harmful drugs like kush will not be tolerated,” he stated.